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Minnesota

When to catch Minnesota Valley Refugeat its best

Minnesota Valley Refuge through the year: spring migration (local timing: April - May), wildflowers (local timing: summer) and winter wildlife (local timing: December - March). Each has its own page with spots, sources and the latest reports.

RIGHT NOW · SEP 30

  • Latest reportNo dated report this season; the posters below show each usual window.
  • This weekend (NWS)Sat partly sunny then chance rain showers, 64°F · Sun sunny, 62°F
  • Park alertsCheck the managing agency before you go

When are you going?

Where to go at Minnesota Valley Refuge

Spots, visitor points and places nearby
  • Spring
  • Fall
  • Winter
Places on this map, as a list
Map: approximate positions; state lines US Census.

Best spots

Where each event's source says to go

Spring migration

  • Bloomington Education and Visitor CenterWatch the bird feeders, catch a sunset from the overlook and take the Hillside Trail down to the wetlands; open Wednesday to Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., a quarter mile from the Metro Transit Blue Line's American Blvd StationU.S. Fish and Wildlife Service ↗
  • Rapids Lake TrailScenic bottomland forest along the Minnesota River valley at the Rapids Lake Unit in Carver; when the water is low you can see the river rapidsU.S. Fish and Wildlife Service ↗

Wildflowers

Winter wildlife

  • Blue Lake TrailA trail through marshes that are a nesting and resting area for waterfowl all yearU.S. Fish and Wildlife Service ↗
  • Bloomington Education and Visitor CenterBird feeders, a sunset overlook and the Hillside Trail down to the wetlands; open Wednesday to Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (closed federal holidays, and possibly when bad weather closes local schools)U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service ↗

Next 7 days at Minnesota Valley Refuge

Forecast: National Weather Service
  • TodayMostly Cloudy77° / 59°6% rain
  • ThuPartly Sunny66° / 47°1% rain
  • FriSunny63° / 48°1% rain
  • SatPartly Sunny then Chance Rain Showers64° / 48°23% rain
  • SunSunny62° / 42°6% rain
  • MonSunny60° / 49°2% rain
  • TueMostly Sunny65° / 54°7% rain

Today: sunrise 7:10 a.m., sunset 6:57 p.m., light until 7:26 p.m. · moon waning gibbous, 78% lit (our calculation)

Nearby, and when they peak

Straight-line miles; roads are longer

Towns nearby

Straight-line miles; each town page has frost dates and its nature year

Minnesota Valley Refuge in pictures

Illustrative photos, not current conditions
Still river water with clumps of brown marsh grass, a green wooded bluff behind it under a clear sky
The Minnesota River with brown marsh grasses at Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge (date not given). Photo: Debbie Koenigs/USFWS · public domain · resized

Questions people ask

Can I borrow binoculars?

Yes. Binoculars, snowshoes and explorer backpacks are lent free at both visitor centers during open hours.Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge: Visit Us ↗ (opens in a new tab)

What time of day is best for birds?

Morning, or evening before dusk. Trailhead parking is limited and gets very busy on weekends.Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge: Visit Us ↗ (opens in a new tab)

Can I get there without a car?

Yes, to the Bloomington visitor center: take the Metro Transit Blue Line to American Blvd Station, cross 34th Avenue and walk about a quarter mile east along American Blvd East to the entrance.Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge: Visit Us ↗ (opens in a new tab)

What flowers bloom in spring?

Spring ephemerals in the woods and on stream banks, such as bloodroot, Dutchman's breeches, jack-in-the-pulpit and nodding trillium, and the rare, state-threatened kittentails in the oak savanna.Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Minnesota Valley NWR: Species ↗ (opens in a new tab)

How we know

Every timing above, from these pages; checked Sep 28